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BSC to decide on editoral
Erik Myers
Issue date: 10/4/07 Section: News
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The Board of Student Communications (BSC) will hold a formal hearing for McSwane to discuss complaints issued against him in regards to the controversial Collegian editorial published September 21. The editorial was printed in the "Our View" on page four, which represents the views of the Collegian editorial board, a seven-member board of student editors.
A separate meeting was held last week to determine if complaints submitted the BSC showed merit. Outside the meeting, students and community members protested in support of McSwane while inside, people voiced their disapproval and support of the editorial to the Board.
While hearing participants at tonight's meeting will have the option of requesting the presence of witnesses, the hearing will not be open to the public.
Following a discussion, the board will privately decide their course of action. Once a decision is reached, the board will announce their conclusion. The board may decide no repercussion for McSwane is necessary, or may choose to give McSwane a warning. However, if deemed necessary, McSwane could be suspended or dismissed from his position.
McSwane said he is somewhat anxious about the hearing, but maintains that he doesn't deserve any harsh repercussion.
"There's little room for apologies and punishments in exercising our civil liberties," McSwane said.
For McSwane, the editorial and its aftermath have been issues of free speech, and his dismissal would have a haunting effect on colleges across the nation.
"I've said it before, this is a free speech issue," McSwane said. "If they fire me, it's a huge blow to free speech on a college campus, and it sets a really scary precedent for college newspapers across the country."
McSwane claims the editorial was successful in its intent to stir free speech conversation across campus.
Katie Martin, a sophomore chemical engineering major, agrees, though she would've preferred different wording.
"I think the point could've gotten across in a less drastic measure," Martin said. "But at the same time, it served its purpose and people are talking."
Viewing Comments 1 - 10 of 15
Sophie Moon
posted 10/04/07 @ 6:21 AM MST
I'd be very disappointed if McSwane is dismissed tonight and agree with the article when saying that it would be a huge blow to university newspaper teams around the country. (Continued…)
John B
posted 10/04/07 @ 6:56 AM MST
A huge blow to free speech, eh? How about a grand statement from the BSC toward decency and civility in the public forum. No matter how many times they try to slice this, this "editorial" was never about free speech. (Continued…)
Bdygard
Craig Hawley
posted 10/04/07 @ 7:21 AM MST
This is hilarious. The free speech campus at CSU is not allowing to public to view the hearing. What are you hiding? You take tax dollars from citizens and then lock them out of your secret hearing. (Continued…)
Chris O
posted 10/04/07 @ 8:53 AM MST
The editor in chief is wrong by saying this is a civil rights issue. He can go out on the Plaza and scream Fuck Bush all he wants but he was using a paper and an entity to spread his opinion, which isn't protected. (Continued…)
John S
posted 10/04/07 @ 9:51 AM MST
I admit, Conlaw wasn't my interest in law school, nor is it my strength. Therefore, from a legal perspective I will not judge whether McSwane has a free speech argument. (Continued…)
Megan F
posted 10/04/07 @ 10:36 AM MST
Free speech squandered by idiocy. This "editorial" has got to be the dumbest stand for free speech I have ever seen. This kind of thing has no place in intelligent media. (Continued…)
Jeanne B
posted 10/04/07 @ 10:50 AM MST
McSwane should be fired. It has nothing to do with free speech. It has everything to do with:
a) it was in violation of the Collegian's bylaws
b) it was a bad business decision for the Collegian
c) it was unethical
The first amendment is just a wall that McSwane is cowering behind. (Continued…)
LJP
posted 10/04/07 @ 11:12 AM MST
I agree with Jeanne B on this one. McSwayne definitely has a right to discuss the issues or opinions of those on campus and things going on nationalyl and their effect on us. (Continued…)
toni
posted 10/04/07 @ 12:22 PM MST
Retain your editor in cheif!!!!!!!
I am a mother of two alumni Please do the right thing and retain your editor in chief and everyone else. I suspect this firestorm is more than enough punishment. (Continued…)
Matt
posted 10/04/07 @ 1:56 PM MST
If the Collegian editors are so insistent on expressing free speech, why is the 'F word' omitted from all the follow on articles? Were they only concerned about expressing free speech on 21 Sep? Was the opinion peace just an emotional outburst? Is the First Amendment just a convenient shield? One may think is more likely is they are afraid that if they continue to publish the 'F word' they may continue to lose ad revenue. (Continued…)
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